Chapter 26
Hyde Park was crowded, despite the cold weather.
The carriage crossed it at a slow pace, much to Elizabeth’s enjoyment, as she took great pleasure in watching the scenery and the people pass.
Almost an hour later, the coachman stopped, and they stepped out; all three shivered at the same time, some from the cold, some from emotions.
“This is where I used to walk with my brother when I was younger,” Georgiana indicated, grasping Elizabeth’s arm.
“I have always loved Hyde Park, although I have only had the chance to visit it a few times. Something about it is so appealing to me,” Elizabeth said.
“I confess it intimidates me,” Georgiana admitted. “I love the colours of the flowers in the summer, the lake, the old trees…but it is so large and always so crowded. At every turn one may meet an acquaintance…”
“You may meet an acquaintance, but I am certain that I shall not.” Elizabeth laughed. “None of my family or friends spend much time in Hyde Park. But speaking of size, is not Pemberley also very large and grand and intimidating?”
“Not to me. It is my home, and I love every inch of it. And there is no danger of meeting someone you do not want to.”
Although the conversation was carried in a light tone, Elizabeth could feel Georgiana’s grasp tighten on her arm; the girl was obviously still scared by the prospect of an encounter with certain undesirable acquaintances.
“I look forward to seeing Pemberley, after everything I have heard of it,” Mrs Annesley said.
“My aunt used to say Pemberley was the most beautiful place she had ever seen. I remember being happy there, but I was a child, and I confess I remember few details,” Elizabeth replied.
“Would you come to Pemberley in the summer, Lizzy?” Georgiana asked.
“My dear, I do not know. I have not discussed my plans for the summer with my father or with your brother. I do not even know where I shall be for Christmas,” she answered with a teasing smile.
They walked for a little while; the weather was sunny but cold, and Georgiana was still holding Elizabeth’s arm tightly. Suddenly, her grip loosened, and the girl’s voice became animated.
“Look, Fitzwilliam is here!”
Elizabeth felt momentarily disquieted, watching Mr Darcy approach them. Her heart was suddenly racing. She prayed she appeared more composed, or she would make a fool of herself.
“Brother, how lovely to see you here! We did not expect you.”
“My meeting did not take as long as I expected, and I thought a little exercise would be beneficial. It certainly suits you well, from what I see.”
His eyes were mostly resting upon Elizabeth as he spoke, and she found she could not look away from him either.
“Should we take another stroll before we return home? I suggest you rest a little before dinner,” Darcy proposed.
Georgiana took Elizabeth’s arm again, claiming her company. Since the path was too narrow for all four of them to walk together, Mr Darcy and Mrs Annesley took a few steps back, walking behind them.
Minutes later, a carriage stopped next to them, and a woman’s voice called cheerfully, “Mr Darcy! How lovely to see you, sir! We have not seen you since last summer.”
The door opened, and a young woman, elegant in a fashionable gown and with a confident air, stepped down, stretching out her hand to Mr Darcy. Immediately behind her, another woman of a similar age followed, while a third, an older lady, remained inside.
“Lady Emmeline, Lady Isabella, Lady Campbell, I am delighted to see you.”
“And so you should be, Mr Darcy!” Lady Campbell replied. “You have been missed and enquired after many times. Colonel Fitzwilliam can confirm this.”
“I do not need any confirmation, as I do not doubt your words, madam. I thank you for your care. I have been well. Mostly out of town with business.”
“Now that you have returned, you must promise that we shall see you more often,” Lady Emmeline demanded. “Keep in mind there will be many balls and parties around the new year. We shall look after you!”
“I cannot make any promises, considering my plans are not fixed yet. But I wish you a wonderful time, with the most enjoyable parties,” Mr Darcy offered politely.
“Is this your little sister?” Lady Campbell interjected again. “She is all grown up now! Is she out already? I have not seen her in society at all.”
“My sister is still young yet, and she has expressed no desire to be out,” Mr Darcy replied, while Georgiana was gripping Elizabeth’s arm.
“Well, she should, any time now. She is exceedingly pretty but looks rather timid. Is that her companion, whose arm she is grasping?”
“This is my sister’s friend, Miss Elizabeth Bennet. And this is my sister’s companion, Mrs Annesley.” Mr Darcy performed the introductions.
“I have never seen Miss Bennet before. Do you live in town, Miss Bennet?” Lady Campbell continued the enquiry with obvious curiosity.
“No, ma’am. My father’s estate is in Hertfordshire.”
“You are just visiting London?”
“Yes. I am visiting my uncle and aunt. And Miss Darcy, of course,” Elizabeth explained. While Georgiana seemed disconcerted and Darcy impatient, she was rather amused by being the object of interrogation. The ladies’ interest was obviously in Mr Darcy, and she was only an annoyance to them.
“Hertfordshire? And how did you happen to befriend Mr Darcy’s sister?” Lady Emmeline asked with slight harshness in her tone.
“Miss Bennet has been my sister’s friend since their childhood,” Darcy interjected, his own voice having a sharp edge, a clear sign of his irritation.
“Miss Bennet is also a family friend, and my parents were very fond of her. I am afraid it is too cold for a longer conversation. We must beg you to excuse us. It is time for us to return home.”
Without allowing time for further discussion, Mr Darcy bowed to the ladies and then directed his party back to the carriage. Less than half an hour after the encounter, they were all back home, and only then did Georgiana seem to relax.
“It was cold, but the exercise was refreshing,” Mrs Annesley said while helping Georgiana out of her coat. “I shall order some tea, and then I believe it would be best for Miss Darcy and Miss Bennet to rest, as Mr Darcy suggested.”
“I shall be in my library,” Mr Darcy said, and the ladies withdrew to their rooms.
Elizabeth found herself slightly anxious after the walk, and she realised it was due to the meeting with the three ladies.
Not because their treatment of her was rather rude but because of their clear interest in Mr Darcy.
A mother and two daughters chasing an eligible man was nothing unexpected, Elizabeth mused with a smile to herself.
And yet, it troubled her, though she could not truly understand why.
Her response to Mr Darcy and all those around him was increasingly disquieting, and she realised — and feared — only one explanation was possible.
She was falling in love with Mr Darcy. No, that was not entirely true.
She had already fallen in love with him, and she needed all her strength to mind her behaviour and keep her composure so she would not make a fool of herself in front of him or Georgiana.
In order to distract her mind, she began reading Jane’s letter again, trying to amuse herself. Mr Wickham’s name was too often mentioned; however, apparently his partiality had already moved on to Mary King.
Jane also revealed her anticipation of the ball and Mr Bingley’s regular visits to Longbourn.
What really shocked Elizabeth was the news that Mr Collins had proposed to Charlotte Lucas, and she had accepted.
Elizabeth had always praised Charlotte for being wise and well-mannered; how she could agree to marry a man she had only met a few days prior was a mystery.
The need to secure her future, which was probably what had induced Charlotte into the engagement, was not enough for Elizabeth, and she felt bitterly disappointed in her friend.
Several minutes of reflection later, Elizabeth admitted it was presumptuous on her part to judge Charlotte’s actions.
She had no right to think ill of her choice.
There was only sadness in knowing how slim the chances had been for Charlotte to find a husband truly worthy of her.
***
Darcy sipped from his coffee, looking absently at his papers.
Earlier, he had been visited by Mr Dodge and requested he complete a thorough investigation into Wickham and Mrs Younge’s present situations.
He needed to know their dirtiest secrets to decide how to act.
In all honesty, he felt uncomfortable with his savage desire for revenge, but he could not dismiss it.
Meeting Georgiana and Elizabeth in the park had had a calming effect on him.
Although pleased to see his sister finally out of the house, his interest had been mostly in Elizabeth, and every glance, every smile from her warmed his heart.
For a moment, he was tempted to invite her to walk back with him, while Georgiana and Mrs Annesley returned in the carriage.
He knew she would have enjoyed the walk, but it would have been a bold gesture, causing rumours and speculation, just as had happened with Lady Campbell and her daughters.
He amused himself, wondering how it was possible that he remained indifferent to any attentions from Lady Emmeline and other women, while just thinking of Elizabeth caused such thrills inside him.